The magic of colors that runs through Caño Cristales

An aquatic plant called Macarenia Clavigera paints Caño Cristales with magic, the ‘river of five colors’ in the municipality of La Macarena (Meta Department). Green, yellow, and violet are some of the hues that you can see in its waters, a visual spectacle that makes it one of the most prominent and famous tourist attractions in Colombia for the world.

 The beauty of the colors of Caño Cristales passes through Sierra de La Macarena National Natural Park, a protected territory where, with the help of the guides, you can spot fauna and flora, live a cultural tourism experience with the communities, be surprised by geology, discover the mysteries hidden in the pictograms and explore the wonders of the landscapes by hiking. In Caño Cristales sector there are ten trail options.

 If you want to visit this destination, also known as ‘the rainbow that melted’ or ‘the most beautiful river in the world’, it is recommended to do it during the second half of the year, when the aquatic plants are at their most colorful and shine among the clear waters. It is important that, before embarking on your trip, you verify that the park is open to the public; you can consult the information through National Natural Parks, Cormacarena, or authorized tour operators.

 One of the best-known routes to Caño Cristales is to reach the municipality of La Macarena, then venture to travel along the Guayabero River, while you fall in love with the fauna and vegetation and take the opportunity to capture the best photographs to immortalize your memories. This water trip brings you closer to the La Macarena National Natural Park so you can continue with the adventure.

 Once you arrive at the park, you can do wildlife-watching activities. There are at least 420 species of birds, and 10 amphibians stand out. To cool off, you can enjoy the crystal-clear water wells, which look like natural, open-air pools. Remember to do it in authorized places.

 On this trip, you are not only surprised by the charm of the river and the biodiversity, but also by the attention of the people, the ones you have known since the adventure began. Ecotourism is an important form of economic development for this region, so by visiting, you support the communities that provide the services.